Curable compositions containing 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thione catalysts

ABSTRACT

The present invention describes the use of 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thiones as a catalyst for epoxy/anhydride reactions (and other reactions) and a method of making these catalysts. Epoxy/anhydride coatings containing these improved catalysts offer the following advantages: improved appearance (especially since even weeks after application the coatings still have a &#34;wet&#34; look); better pot-life; improved resistance to alkaline substances which will improve durability; improved solubility; and coatings which have a reduced volatile organic content (VOC).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/389,897 filed Aug. 4, 1989, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

We have discovered that 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thione compounds are useful for catalyzing crosslinking rcactions between polymers with pendent anhydrides and polymers with epoxy functionality. Previously, most crosslinking reactions between anhydride compounds and compounds epoxy functionality have been catalyzed with amines or amine boranes. The use of 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thione catalysts is especially useful in the ambient cure of coatings containing a polymer having anhydride groups, and a polyepoxide crosslinking agent. These novel catalysts form epoxy/anhydride resins useful in coatings with a number of significant advantages.

PRIOR ART

Coating compositions containing epoxy/anhydride resins are known in the art as shown by U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,500 assigned to Du Pont and commonly assigned patent application Ser. Nos. 07/212,298; 07/212,053; 07/212,054; 07/212,055; 07/212,052 and 07/253,991. These references generally disclose and claim coating compositions having a binder comprising (a) 50-95% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of an acrylic polymer having at least two reactive anhydride groups, which consists of polymerized monomers of an ethylenically unsaturated anhydride and polymerized monomers selected from the group consisting of alkyl methacrylate, alkyl acrylate and any mixtures thereof, wherein the alkyl groups have 1-8 carbon atoms and the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of about 2,000-50000; (b) 5-50% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of a glycidyl component having at least two reactive glycidyl groups; (c) 0.1-5% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of a catalyst (e.g. triethylene diamine, amine-borane adducts and phosphonium catalysts); and (d) assorted other additives which improve the properties of the coating. None of the disclosures show or suggest the use of 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thiones to catalyze the crosslinking reaction between the epoxy and the anhydride.

An unrelated reference found in Organic Syntheses, 1986, Vol 64, page 92 shows the preparation of 1,3-dimethylimidazole-2-thione. However this reference does not disclose other 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thiones, nor does it disclose or suggest the use of 1,3-dimethylimidazole-2-thione as a crosslinking catalyst.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes the use of 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thiones as a catalyst for epoxy/anhydride reactions (and other reactions). Epoxy/anhydride coatings containing these improved catalysts offer the following advantages: improved appearance (especially since even weeks after application the coatings still have a "wet" look); better pot-life; improved resistance to alkaline substances which will improve durability; improved solubility; and coatings which have a reduced volatile organic content (VOC).

The 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thiones of the present invention have the following structure: ##STR1## where R and R₁ are alkylene C₁ to C₁₄ (straight chain or branched) and Y and Y₁ are H, OH, CO₂ H, aryl, ether, amine, perfluoroalkyl, amide, nitrile, or olefin. (Typically Y and Y₁ are H thus the nitrogens usually bear unsubstituted alkyl groups).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes the use of 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thiones as a catalyst for epoxy/anhydride resins which are used in paints, coatings, laiminates, moldings, castings and adhesives. These catalysts improve appearance (especially since even weeks after application the coatings still have a "wet" look); pot-life; resistance to alkaline substances which will improve durability; solubility; and VOC.

Typically, the reactive components used for making an epoxy/anhydride coating are an anhydride bearing polymer, copolymer or monomer and an epoxy bearing polymer, copolymer or monomer. The anhydride or epoxy bearing reactants may be in a solvent. These components along with a catalyst are often provided to the user in separate containers and are mixed on demand.

We have also found that 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thiones can be used to catalyze the crosslinking reaction between acid functional compounds and compounds with epoxy functionality. This is shown in Example 5 where an acid functional polymer is used in conjunction with an anhydride functional polymer and both are crosslinked with an epoxy functional compound.

The anhydride component of the epoxy/anhydride resins which are useful for the curing agents of this invention, may be any polymer or copolymer with a weight average molecular weight of less than 100,000 containing at least two reactive anhydride groups. Also low molecular weight monomeric anhydrides may be used.

Prefered anhydride components are copolymers prepared from one or more of the monomers of styrene, methacrylate, or acrylates with one or more of the monomers of itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, maleic anhydride or isobutenyl succinic anhydride. (After formation of the polymer the itaconic acid which is contained in the polymer is converted to the anhydride). As will be apparent to one skilled in the art there are a number of other monomers which could also be used to form the anhydride polymer. Some of these different monomers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,500 which is incorporated herein by reference.

The epoxy component of the epoxy/anhydride coatings may be any polymer, copolymer or compound with a weight average molecular weight of less than 100,000 containing at least two epoxy groups. Also low molecular weight monomeric epoxies may be used. Preferred epoxy components are copolymers prepared from alkyl (meth)acrylates [hereinafter "(meth)acrylates" refers to either acrylates or methacrylates] with glycidyl (meth)acrylates. These prefered polymers may be used by themselves or in combination with the polyglycidylethers of sorbitol. Other preferred epoxies are Araldite CY-184® (from Ciba-Geigy Corporation) and epoxies based on Bisphenol A such as Epon 1001® (available from Shell Chemical Company). As will be apparent to one skilled in the art there are a number of different monomers which could also be used to form the epoxy polymer. Some of these different monomers are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,500.

Hydroxyl containing compounds which can be used in addition to the epoxy containing compounds are polymers or copolymers containing hydroxy functionality with a weight average molecular weight of less than 100,000 containing at least two hydroxly groups. Low molecular weight monomeric hydroxyl compounds may also be used. Prefered hydroxyl compounds are copolymers containing alkyl (meth)acrylates and hydroxy functional (meth)acrylates. Also hydroxy functional polyesters can be used.

The acid functional compounds that may be used are monomeric, oligomeric, or polymeric which may or may not contain hydroxyl functionality. If polymeric, the compounds are typically formed by polymerizing monomers of alkyl (meth)acrylates where the alkyl groups have 1-12 carbon atoms and ethylenically unsaturated acids. Optionally, the acid functional polymer can also contain other components such as styrene, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile in amounts of about 0.1-50% by weight.

The coating composition formed using the components described above may contain 20% to 80% of the polymer or copolymer having at least two anhydride groups and 80% to 20% of the polymer or copolymer having at least two epoxy groups (or hydroxyl groups). The coating composition may also contain components such as monomeric anhydrides; acid functional monomeric, or polymeric components which may or may not contain hydroxyl functionality (if there are acid functional groups present there must also be epoxy groups present in order to get cure); hydroxy functional polymers; and self-stabilized dispersed resins. Examples of monomer anhydrides are methyl hexahydrophtalic anhydride and the like. Examples of such acid functional components are glycolic acid and acrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer and the like.

None of the components should contain any substituents which would interfere with the curing process.

As discussed above the catalyst for the epoxy/anhydride coating is 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thione. The catalyst is present at a level of 1-10% by weight, preferably about 4-6%, of the total binder. The 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thione is preferably made in two reaction steps.

Although another method of making the 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thiones through a potassium carbonate route was disclosed in Organic Syntheses, 1986, Vol 64, page 92, this prior method provides yields of only about 60-70% compared with the current 2-step method which gives yields of as high as 90%. Furthermore, the two step method is simpler to operate than the previous potassium carbonate method. (A comparative example of the potassium carbonate method is shown in Example 2).

The first step in the two step process is reacting 1-alkylimidazole and alkyl halide (substituted or unsubstituted) to yield a N-alkyl-N'-alkylimidazolium halide. ##STR2##

The 1-alkylimidazole and alkyl halide are preferably added in a 1:1 molar ratio. However, an excess of either may be used, but will result in a waste of starting material. The reaction may be done in the presence of an organic solvent, however, it is preferred that the reaction be done neat so that no seperation step is needed to isolate the N-alkyl-N'-alkylimidazolium halide. If a sovent is used, the solvent chosen should not react with the starting materials or product. Preferred solvents are toluene, methylene chloride, and methanol.

The reactants and solvents must be substantially dry. Most preferably they should contain less than 0.01% water, more preferably less than 0.1% water and preferably less than 0.5% water. The reaction temperature changes as the reactants change. If a heavy halide (i.e. iodide) is used then the reaction can proceed at room temperature. If a lighter halide is used then the reaction should be heated to between 40° C. to 120° C. (depending on the reactants). The time it takes for the reaction to go to completion also varies according to reactants from 2 to 48 hours.

In the second reaction step the product from the first reaction step, N-alkyl-N'-alkylimidazolium halide, is reacted with a suspension of sulfur and a base in a solvent to give the final catalyst 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thiones. ##STR3##

In this second reaction step, the preferred ratio of N-alkyl-N'-alkylimidazolium halide to sulfur to base is 1:1:1. Excesses of any of the three may be used but will result in a waste of starting material. The reactants and solvents must be substantially dry. Most preferably they should contain less than 0.01% water, more preferably less than 0.1% water and preferably less than 0.5% water. Preferably, the addition of the ingredients should be such that the base and N-alkyl-N'-alkylimidazolium halide are not in contact without sulfur. Usually the sulfur and base are premixed in solvent and then the N-alkyl-N'-alkylimidazolium halide is added to that mixture. The solvent is preferably a volatile alcohol. Most preferably the solvent is methanol. The base can be any alkali metal alkoxide. Preferably the base is sodium methoxide.

Preferably the reaction takes place at room temperature. However, it is possible for the reaction to take place anywhere from 20° to 80° C. and it normally takes between two to forty-eight hours. After the reaction has gone to completion, it is possible to seperate the alkali metal halide from the 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thiones by either solvent evaporation, water extraction or filtration.

Our most preferred 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thione is 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazole-2-thione. This compound is made as shown in Example 1. Other preferred 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thiones are 1-n-octyl-3-methylimidazole-2-thione (see Example 2), 1-n-propyl-3-methylimidazole-2-thione (see Example 3), and N,N'-diethylimidazole-2-thione.

Typical solvents used to prepare the anhydride acrylic polymer, and used as a diluent for the coating composition are as follows: toluene, xylene, butyl acetate, ethylbenzene, higher boiling aromatic hydrocarbons, amyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, ethylene or propylene glycol mono alkyl ether acetates and so forth.

In addition to the solvents listed above, certain alcoholic solvents are also useful. The alcoholic solvents under certain use conditions convert portions of the anhydride to a half ester also useful as reactants in this system. Examples of such alcohols are propanol, isobutanol, methanol, isopropanol, tertiary butanol, n-butanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and other alcoholic solvents.

Generally, the composition is applied by conventional techniques such as spraying and electrostatic spraying. The resulting coating can be dried and cured at ambient temperatures or can be cured at elevated temperatures of 60° to 200° C. The coating can be applied in pigmented or nonpigmented (clear) form. At ambient temperatures, the coating dries to a tack free condition in about 180 minutes and in about 24 hours the coating is substantially cured. In about 5-7 days, the coating is completely cured. Coatings are applied to form a finish about 0.5-5 mils thick, and preferably 1-2 mils thick. The finish has excellent gloss, retention of the "wet" look even weeks after application, good pot-life, good resistance to alkaline substances, good adhesion to substrate, good hardness and fast dry times.

To improve weatherability of the clear finish of the coating composition, about 0.1-5%, by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of an ultraviolet light stabilizer or a combination of ultraviolet light stabilizers can be added. These stabilizers include ultraviolet light absorbers, screeners, quenchers and specific hindered amine light stabilizers. Also, about 0.1-5% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of an antioxidant can be added.

Typical ultraviolet light stabilizers that are useful are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,500.

Generally, when the coating composition of this invention is used as a clear coating, it is applied by conventional spraying techniques to a color or base coat of an automobile or truck. The coatings are baked at about 60° to 140° C. for about 10 to 40 minutes. In refinishing automobiles and trucks, the clear coating is applied to a color coat and then can be dried at ambient temperatures or baked to form a clear finish. The resulting clear coat or finish is about 1-5 mils thick, preferably 1-2 mils thick, and has excellent gloss, good adhesion to the color coat, good hardness, and good retention of the "wet" look even weeks after application.

The composition can be pigmented to form a colored finish or primer. About 0.1-200% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of conventional pigments can be added using conventional techniques in which a mill base containing pigment, dispersant and solvent is first formed. The mill base is then mixed with the composition to form a colored composition. This composition can be applied and cured as shown above.

The following examples illustrate the invention. All parts and percentages, unless otherwise stated, are on a weight basis. The examples are merely illustrative and should not be read in any way to limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 1-n-Buty-Methylimidazole-2-Thione

A 3 litre single neck round bottom flask is equipped with a condenser and nitrogen bubbler. The flask is charged with 500 grams (6.1 mole) 1-methylimidazole and 650 grams (7.0 mole) n-butyl chloride. While stirring, the mixture is heated to reflux, 80° C. (pot temp). The mixture is refluxed for 16 hrs (the pot temperature is gradually increased to 110° C. over this time). The product is allowed to cool to room temperature and may crystallize on cooling.

The N-methyl-N'-n-butylimidazolium chloride, from the previous reaction, is dissolved into 500 ml anhydrous methanol. The methanol solution is cannulated into a 10 litre single neck flask containing a suspension of sulfur and sodium methoxide in anhydrous methanol (prepared by dissolving 140.3 grams (6.1 mol) sodium metal in 5.0 litre anhydrous methanol then adding 196 grams (6.1 mol) lac sulfur). The reaction is stirred for 24 hrs at 23° C. and then checked by ¹ H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to assure completion. The reaction mixture is then pressure filtered through Celite® to remove sodium chloride. The clear solution is acidified with 6 N HCL to pH 5.0. A small amount of yellow solids precipitate out of the solution and are filtered off through Celite®. The solution is concentrated on a rotary evaporator to leave a dark oil. The oil is vacuum distilled, 105° C./10⁻² torr, from KOH pellets to give a clear to slightly yellow colored oil. The yield is 886.1 grams (85.3 %). The ¹ H NMR (CD₃ CN) δ0.93 (t,3H,CH₂ CH₃); 1.30 (tq,2H,CH₂ CH₃); 1.63(tt,2H,NCH₂ CH₂); 3.49(s,3H,NCH₃); 3.96(t,2H,NCH₂); 6.84(s,2H,NCH). Density--1.04 g/ml.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of 1-n-Octyl-3-Methylimidazole-2-Thione using the Potassium Carbonate Method

In the hood, a 0.5 litre round bottom flask equipped with a condenser and nitrogen bubbler, is charged with 65.70 grams (0.8 mol) 1-methylimidazole, 154.5 grams (0.8 mol) 1-bromooctane, and 100 ml acetonitrile. While stirring, the light yellow colored reaction mixture is heated to reflux, 97° C., and refluxed for about 1.5 hour. The mixture, now slightly darker in color, is then cooled to room temperature. The NMR is checked to assure completion and then the acetonitrile is removed under reduced pressure. This amber colored imidazolium bromide (220.0 grams, 0.8 mol) is placed in a 2 litre round bottom flask charged with 76.9 grams (2.4 mol) sulfur, and one 1 litre methanol. To this 221.38 grams (2.0 mol) of potassium carbonate is added in a single portion. A Drierite® drying tube is attached to the flask and the reaction mixture is allowed to stir for 24 hours. The reaction mixture is checked by ¹ H NMR to assure completion. The bright yellow mixture is then filtered through a course fritted glass funnel. The filter cake is washed with methanol to extract any remaining product. The methanol is removed on a rotary evaporator. The dark red oil is then acidified with 1 N HCl to pH 5.0 and filtered to remove excess sulfur. The solution is concentrated via rotary evaporator, then vacuum distilled from zinc powder to give 125 grams (a yield of 69%) of a dark red oil. The ¹ H NMR (CD₃)₂ CO- 7.00(m,NCH,2H); 4.02(t,NCH₂,2H), 3.52 (s,NCH₂,3H); 1 74(m,NCH₂ C,H₂,2H); 1.31(m,(CH₂)₅,10H); 0.87(m,(CH₂)₅ CH₃,3H).

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of 1-n-Propyl-3-Methylimidazole-2-Thione

In the hood, a 200 ml single neck round bottom flask is equipped with a condenser and nitrogen bubbler. The flask is charged with 33.6 grams (0.41 mole) 1-methylimidazole and 55.5 grams (0.45 mol) 1-bromopropane. While stirring the mixture is heated to reflux, 70° C. (pot temperature). The mixture is refluxed for 16 hrs (the pot temperature is gradually increased to 110° C. over this time). The product is allowed to cool to room temperature. The ¹ H NMR is checked to assure completion. The NMR shows a single product with resonances in the expected regions.

The N-methyl-N'-n-propylimidazolium bromide from the previous reaction is dissolved in 50 ml anhydrous methanol. The methanol solution is cannulated into a 500 ml single neck flash containing a suspension of sulfur and sodium methoxide in 200 ml anhydrous methanol (prepared by dissolving 9.43 grams (0.41 mol) sodium metal in anhydrous methanol then adding 13.15 grams (0.41 mol) lac sulfur). The reaction is stirred for 24 hrs at 23° C. and then checked by ¹ H NMR to assure completion. The reaction mixture is then pressure filtered through Celite® to remove sodium chloride. The clear brown solution is acidified with 1 N HCl to pH 5.0. The solution is concentrated via rotary evaporator to give a dark brown oil. The oil is then vacuum distilled (85°-100° C./0.1 mm Hg) from KOH to give 51.82 grams (a yield of 81%) of colorless oil. 1H NMR (CD₂ Cl₂)δ0.93 ppm (t,CH₂ CH₃,3H); 1.77 (dq,CH₂ CH₃,2H); 3.55(s,NCH₃,3H; 3 95(t,NCH₂,2H); 6.71(s,NCH,2H).

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of an Ambient Cure Coating Using a Thione Catalyst

    ______________________________________                                         Preparation of a Polyanhydride                                                 Part Ingredient              Parts by Weight                                   ______________________________________                                         1    Xylene                  232.10                                            2    Styrene                 91.70                                                  Butylmethacrylate       122.20                                                 Butylacrylate           232.2                                                  Xylene                  50.20                                             3    Itaconic acid           191.60                                                 Xylene                  60.00                                             4    75% Tert-Butylperoxyacetate Initiator                                                                  30.50                                                  ("Lucidol 70" from the Lucidol                                                 Division of Penwalt Corporation)                                               Propyleneglycolmonomethyletheracatate                                                                  12.10                                                  Xylene                  57.50                                             5    Propyleneglycolmonomethyletheracetate                                                                  102.10                                            6    Propyleneglycolmonomethyletheracetate                                                                  102.10                                            ______________________________________                                    

Part 1 was added to a reactor equipped with a thermomether, stirrer, dropping funnel, water separater, nitrogen purge and condenser and heated to reflux. Parts 2 and 3 were premixed and added to the reactor over 3 hours simultaneously. Part 4 was premixed and added to the reactor over 3 hours and 20 minutes beginning with the start of Parts 2 and 3. The batch was then maintained at reflux until 25.2 parts of water were collected in the water separater. Part 5 was then added to the batch and 341.3 parts of solvent were removed by distillation. Part 6 was then added to the batch; it was cooled.

This polymer solution had a Garner-Holdt viscosity of Z1+1/2 and a measured solids of 69.7%. The anhydride content was determined to be 0.91 Meq/gm and the acid content to be 0.19 Meq/gm. The molecular weight was measured by gel permeation chromatography to be Mn=2074 and Mw=5093.

    ______________________________________                                         Preparation of a Polyol                                                        Part Ingredient              Parts by Weight                                   ______________________________________                                         1    Methyl N-amyl ketone    170.85                                            2    Methyl N-amyl ketone    61.90                                                  75% t-Butylperacetate Initiator                                                                        27.74                                                  ("Lupersol 70" from the Lucidol Division                                       of Pennwalt Corporation)                                                  3    Styrene                 143.88                                                 Ethylmethacrylate       143.88                                                 Laurylmethacrylate      115.12                                                 Hydroxyethylacryate     172.63                                                 Total                   836.00                                            ______________________________________                                    

Part 1 was added to a reactor equipped with a stirrer, thermometer, condenser, nitrogen purge and feed funnel and heated to reflux. Part 2 was premixed and added to the reactor over 165 minutes. Part 3 was premixed and added to the reactor over 150 minutes beginning with the start of Part 2. The batch was then held at reflux for 2 additional hours and then cooled. The resulting polymer had a weight percent solids of 70% and a hydroxyequivalent weight on solids was 386.7 gms per equivalent.

    ______________________________________                                         Preparation of a Polyepoxide                                                   Part   Ingredient              Weight                                          ______________________________________                                         1      Butylacetate            244.67                                                 Toluene                 25.51                                                  Ethylacetate            41.39                                           2      Glycidylmethacrylate    233.12                                                 Butylacetate            62.29                                                  Butylmethacryalete      155.41                                                 "Vazo 67" Initiator (from DuPont)                                                                      18.68                                           3      Butylacetate            14.32                                                  Propyleneglycolmonomethyletheracetate                                                                  48.32                                                  "Vazo 67" Initiator (from DuPont)                                                                      4.77                                                   Total                   848.48                                          ______________________________________                                    

Part 1 was added to a reactor equipped with a stirrer, thermometer, condenser, nitrogen purge, and feed funnel and heated to reflux. Part 2 was premixed an added to the reactor over 2 hours maintaining reflux. Part 3 was premixed and added over 30 minutes after part 2 was finished. The batch was held at reflux for 30 more minutes then cooled and filled out. The resulting polymer's weight percent solids was 45.7% and the epoxyequivalent weight on solids was 236.7 gms per equivalent.

PREPARATION OF COATINGS USING VARIOUS CATALYSTS

Coating compositions were prepared by thoroughly blending the following components. As can be seen from the table below, six different coating compositions were prepared using the polymers described above, other additives and a catalyst or mixture of catalysts. Coatings A and E contained only "thione" catalyst, while coatings B, C and D contained a mixture of "thioe" and amine catalyst. Coating U contained only amine catalyst.

    ______________________________________                                         Components                                                                     (Code)    A       B       C     D     E     U                                  ______________________________________                                         Polyol    13.5    13.5    13.5  13.5  13.5  13.5                               (from above)                                                                   10% TEDA  0       3.157   0     0     0     6.30                               30% MTEDA 0       0       1.184 0     0     0                                  30%       0       0       0     1.315 0     0                                  MTEDABH3                                                                       30% BTI   3.195   3.195   3.195 3.195 6.372 0                                  30% Tin 328                                                                              2.1     2.1     2.1   2.1   2.1   2.1                                10% Tin 144                                                                              6.3     6.3     6.3   6.3   6.3   6.3                                Pgmmether 4.121   4.159   4.164 4.169 4.237 4.08                               Solv Mix* 12.02   9.526   11.582                                                                               11.533                                                                               10.845                                                                               8.23                               Polyanhydride                                                                            20.763  20.763  20.763                                                                               20.763                                                                               20.763                                                                               20.76                              (from above)                                                                   Polyepoxide                                                                              9.779   9.779   9.779 9.779 9.779 9.78                               (from above)                                                                   "Denecol  3.15    3.15    3.15  3.15  3.15  3.15                               Ex622"                                                                         (from Nagase                                                                   America Corp.)                                                                 ______________________________________                                         Code Description                                                               30% BTI     1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazole-2-thione                                           30% solution in xylene                                             10% TEDA    Triethylenediamine 10% solution                                                in xylene                                                          30% MTEDA:BH3                                                                              Borane adduct of MethylTEDA 30%                                                in acetone                                                         10% TIN 144 "Tinuvin 144" light stabilizer from                                            Ciba-Geigy 10% solution in xylene                                  30% TIN 328 "Tinuvin 328" U.V. absorber from                                               Ciba-Geigy 30% solution in xylene                                  PGMMETHER   Propyleneglycolmonomethylether                                     30% MTEDA   Methyltriethylenediamine 30% solution                                          in xylene                                                          *The solvent mix used was:                                                     Butylacetate         19.80                                                     Propyleneglycolmonometyletheracetate                                                                13.2                                                      Xylene               23.1                                                      N-Hexylacetate       43.9                                                 

Films of the above compositions were cast using a 0.010 inch draw down blade onto panels made of glass and thermoplastic polyolefin. Descriptions of the tests performed on the coatings are described at the end of the Example Section.

    ______________________________________                                         Test Results After One Day Cure at 25° C.                                                     Persoz   Dry Film                                                 Geltime      Hardness Thickness                                       Coating  (hours)      1 Day    Microns                                         ______________________________________                                         A        9.00          90      75                                              B        3.25         129      65                                              C        4.33         114      75                                              D        8.08         115      65                                              E        5.08         154      65                                              U        1.67         117      65                                              ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                         Test Results After Seven Days Cure at 25° C.                                    Persoz    Swell Ratio                                                                              5%     10%   Ford                                  Coating Hardness  in CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2                                                                     Naoh   Sulf  #24                                   ______________________________________                                         A       178       1.64      3      5     4                                     B       193       1.58      3      5     4                                     C       183       1.6       3      5     4                                     D       207       1.61      4      5     4                                     E       200       1.54      4      4     4                                     U       168       1.67      3      5     4                                     ______________________________________                                    

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS TESTS IN EXAMPLE 4 Gel Time

T_(O) =The clock time when all the ingredients are mixed to form a complete solution of reactive binders and catalyst.

T₁ =The clock time when this mixture forms a tail on the bubble in a Gardner-Holdt tube.

Gel time=T₁ -T₀.

Persoz Hardness

The solution of mixed ingredients is drawn down on a 4" by 12.increment. glass. The solids are normally 45% or 50% in our experiments. We use a 0.010" doctor blade. Film thickness will be in the range 45 to 60 microns. In 24 hrs (+/-2 hrs) the hardness of the film is measured by the Byk Mallinkrodt Pendulum Hardness Tester with a Persoz Pendulum.

Swelling Ratio

The solution of mixed ingredients is drawn down on a panel of TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin). On test day a free film is lifted off the TPO with a single edge razor. A circular specimen is punched from the film with a 3.1 mm grid punch. We usually sandwich the film in between aluminum foil for punching so that the specimen has enough weight to fall down the barrell of the punch into the catch pan. The 3.1 mm specimen is then mounted on a slide and its diameter measured in filar units using a microscope equipped with a filar micrometer. This diameter is D₀. Methylene chloride is dropped onto the specimen; swelling starts; a cover glass is put over the swelling specimen; swelling reaches its equilibrium value. The swollen diameter is D_(s). The swelling ratio is calculated as follows: ##EQU1## This is the ratio of the swollen area to the unswollen area.

Swelling Ratio Comments

We have used swelling ratio as measure of cure in hundreds of screening tests and have adopted the following guideline for describing cure . . .

    ______________________________________                                                       Swelling Ratio                                                                 CH.sub.2 CL.sub.2                                                Cure          7-8 Days                                                         ______________________________________                                         Excellent     <1.55                                                            Very Good     1.55-1.65                                                        Good          1.65-1.75                                                        Fair          1.75-1.85                                                        Poor          1.85-2.00                                                        Very Poor     >2.00                                                            ______________________________________                                    

Chemical Spot

The film drawn down on glass is exposed to drops of various chemicals such as 5% NAOH and 10% H2SO4. After one hour the spot is wiped away and the exposed coating is checked for softening, swelling, discoloration and wrinkling. Using 5 as a perfect rating a point is deducted for each of the aforementioned defects found. For example a coating that turns yellow and softens loses 2 points and gets a rating of 5-2=3.

Summary of Results

As can be seen from the above results, Coating E with "thione" catalyst at the same level as the coating with only amine catalyst (Coating U) has longer gel time, better one day hardness, better seven day hardness and better cure (as indicated by a lower swelling ratio) than the amine based system. (Coating E and Coating U both have catalyst levels of 0.0357 equivalents per hundred grams of total binder).

Even Coating A with only half the level of "thione" catalyst has only slightly less hardness after one day's cure and comparable hardness and cure after seven days when compared to Coating U. Significantly, the gel time, indicative of useful pot life, is much longer for Coating A than Coating U.

Coating B,C and D, which are blends of the "thione" catalyst with various amine catalysts show the possibility for getting better balances of pot-life and cure by mixing the thione catalyst and amine catalysts.

EXAMPLE 5 Coating Composition that Requires Baking to Cure Preparation of Acid Polymer Component

A butyl acrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer was prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         A reactor was charged with the following:                                      Propyleneglycolmonomethylether-                                                                        1604.0 parts                                           acetate (PM acetate)                                                           Butyl acetate           441.0 parts                                            Xylene                  1243.0 parts                                           This mixture was heated with agitation under nitrogen                          to reflux. Then the following mixture was added at a                           uniform, linear rate over three hours while                                    maintaining reflux.                                                            Butyl acrylate monomer  2427.0 parts                                           Methacrylic acid monomer                                                                               1630.0 parts                                           Tertiary butyl peroxyacetate                                                                           224.0 parts                                            ("Lucidol 70" from Pennwalt)                                                   Then the following mixture was added over ten minutes                          while maintaining reflux temperature:                                          Xylene                  200.0 parts                                            Tertiary butyl peroxyacetate                                                                           19.0 parts                                             The mixture was maintained for one hour at reflux                              temperature and then diluted with the following:                               PM Acetate              692.0 parts                                            Total                   8480.0 parts                                           ______________________________________                                    

This polymer had a Garner-Holdt viscosity of Z1+1/2 and a measured solids of 52.3%. The acid content was determined to be 2.28 Meq/gm and molecular weight by gel permeation chromatography was Mn=2762, Mw=6108.

A coating composition using 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazole-2-thione catalyst was prepared by thoroughly blending the following constituents:

    ______________________________________                                                             Parts by Weight                                            ______________________________________                                         Polyanhydride (from Example 4)                                                                       453.2                                                    PM acetate            38.2                                                     Methyl hexahydrophthalic anhydride                                                                   57.5                                                     Resiflow S ® (acrylic flow additive                                                              3.4                                                      from Estron Chemical Co.)                                                      Butyl acetate         118.7                                                    Araldite CY-184 ® (Epoxy resin from                                                              238.1                                                    Ciba-Geigy)                                                                    Acid polymer (as prepared above)                                                                     174.3                                                    Butanol               38.8                                                     Tinuvin 292 ® (Ciba-Geigy hindered                                                               13.2                                                     amine light stabilizer)                                                        Tinuvin 1130 (Ciba-Geigy UV screener)                                                                20.1                                                     25% 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazole-2-thione                                                             66.9                                                     in Butyl Acetate                                                               Total                 1204.4                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The resulting coating composition was reduced to a spray viscosity of 35 seconds measured with a No. 2 Zahn cup accomplished by adding butyl acetate.

The coating composition was sprayed onto a primed metal panel coated with a waterborne basecoat and cured at 180°-200° F. and provided a clear coat with excellent color, durability, humidity resistance, chemical resistance, and other film properties. The coating composition was also sprayed over solvent borne melamine cured basecoat and cured at 240°-284° F. The resulting coating exhibited excellent color, durability, humidity resistance, chemical resistance, and other film properties.

EXAMPLE 6 Pigmented Coating with Thione Catalyst Preparation of hydroxy functional polymer "B"

    ______________________________________                                         Part     Ingredient           Weight                                           ______________________________________                                         1        Methyl n-amyl ketone 339.830                                          2        Methylmethacrylate   94.970                                                    Styrene              94.970                                                    Butylacrylate        253.230                                                   Hydroxyethylacryate  189.940                                                   Methyl n-amyl ketone 16.728                                           3        Methyl n-amyl ketone 47.345                                                    75% t-butylperacetate Initiator                                                                     21.080                                                    ("Lupersol 70" from                                                            Pennwalt Corporation)                                                 4        Methyl N-Amyl Ketone -233.240                                         5        Methyl N-Amyl Ketone 40.147                                                    Yield                865.000                                          ______________________________________                                    

Part 1 was added to a reactor equipped with a stirrer, thermometer, condenser, nitrogen purge and feed funnel and heated to reflux. Part 2 was premixed and added to the reactor over 225 minutes. Part 3 was premixed and added to the reactor over 240 minutes beginning with the start of part 2. The batch was then held at reflux. For 1 additional hour, part 4 was then removed by distillation, the batch was cooled and pumped from the reactor. Part 5 was used to rinse the reactor and lines. The weight percent solids was 75% and the hydroxyequivalent weight on solids were 386.9 gms per equivalent.

Preparation of Polyepoxide Polymer "C"

    ______________________________________                                         Part     Ingredient          Weight                                            ______________________________________                                         1        Xylene              137.408                                           2        Glycidyl Methacrylate                                                                              209.080                                                    Butylacrylate       179.170                                                    Methyl Methacrylate 209.080                                                    Xylene              14.256                                            3        Xylene              40.992                                                     75% T-Butylperacetate Initiator                                                                    33.160                                                     ("Lupersol 70" from                                                            Pennwalt Corporation)                                                 4        Xylene              18.951                                            5        Xylene              37.903                                                     Total               880.000                                           ______________________________________                                    

Part 1 was added to a reactor equipped with a stirrer, thermometer, condenser, nitrogen purge, and feed funnel and heated to reflux. Part 2 was premixed and added to the reactor over 5 hours while maintaining reflux. Part 3 was premixed and added over 5 hours simultaneously with part 2. The batch was held at reflux for 45 more minutes then pumped to a prefilter tank. Part 4 is then added to the reactor, stirred to rinse the vessel, and pumped to the prefilter tank. Following filtration, part 5 is used for viscosity/solids adjustment. The weight percent solids was 70.0%.

Preparation of a White Dispersion

A white dispersion was prepared by mixing the following constituents into a blend tank:

    ______________________________________                                         Part   Ingredient          Parts by Weight                                     ______________________________________                                         1      Hydroxy functional Polymer "B"                                                                     7.500                                                      (prepared above)                                                               Methyl n-amyl ketone                                                                               16.670                                              2      Titanium dioxide white pigment                                                                     69.990                                              3      Hydroxy functional Polymer "B"                                                                     5.840                                                      (prepared above)                                                               Total               100.000                                             ______________________________________                                    

Part 1 was added to the blend tank and mixed for 15 minutes. Part 2 was then added to the blend tank while mixing and then mixed for 30 minutes. Part 3 was then added to the blend tank while mixing and mixed for an additional 10 minutes. The resulting blend was put through a sand mill for fineness.

Preparation of Rheology Control Dispersion

A rheology control dispersion was prepared by mixing the following constituents into a blend tank:

    ______________________________________                                         Part  Ingredient            Parts by Weight                                    ______________________________________                                         1     Mixed methyl esters of succinic,                                                                     7.500                                                    glutaric and adipic acids                                                      (Dibasic Ester-DBE from                                                        E. I. duPont deNemours)                                                        Ethyleneglycolmonobutyletheracetate                                                                  20.240                                                   Denecol EX622 ®   65.800                                                   (Epoxy Resin from Nagase)                                                2     Colloidal Silica      7.210                                                    Total                 100.000                                            ______________________________________                                    

Part 1 was added to the blend tank and mixed for 15 minutes. Part 2 was then added to the blend tank slowly while mixing and then mixed for an additional 10 minutes. The resulting blend was put through a sand mill for fineness.

    ______________________________________                                         Formulation of a White Enamel                                                  Part   Ingredient          Parts by Weight                                     ______________________________________                                         1      White Dispersion    818.280                                                    (described above)                                                              Denecol EX622 ® 106.380                                                    (Epoxy Resin from Nagase)                                                      Araldite CY184 ®                                                                               121.000                                                    (Epoxy Resin from Ciba-Geigy)                                                  Polyepoxide Polymer "C"                                                                            87.020                                                     (prepared above)                                                               Silicone SF-69 ®                                                                               0.092                                                      (from General Electric)                                                        Xylene              4.508                                                      Rheology control dispersion                                                                        171.170                                                    (described above)                                                              Various color dispersions                                                                          2.550                                                      (for controlling final color                                                   made like the white dispersion                                                 described above)                                                               Total               1311.000                                            ______________________________________                                    

Add all of the Part 1 ingredients in order while mixing. Mix dispersions before use. The ingredients are then mixed for 1 hour.

    ______________________________________                                         Preparation of an Activator Mixture                                            Part     Ingredient      Parts by Weight                                       ______________________________________                                         1        Polyanhydride Polymer                                                                          832.750                                                        (from Example 4)                                                               Methylethylketone                                                                              51.250                                                         Total           884.000                                               ______________________________________                                    

The two ingredients from Part 1 were added in order while mixing. The mixture was mixed for 1 hour.

Coating compositions were prepared by thoroughly blending the following ingredients.

    ______________________________________                                         Code           1      2      3    4    5    6                                  ______________________________________                                         White Enamel   131.1  131.1  131.1                                                                               131.1                                                                               131.1                                                                               131.1                              Formulation                                                                    Activator Mixture                                                                             88.4   88.4   88.4 88.4 88.4 88.4                               Ethanol        18.5   18.5   18.5 18.5 18.5 18.5                               n-Butanol      1.9    1.9    1.9  1.9  1.9  1.9                                Diethylene-    12.2   12.2   12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2                               glycolmonobutylether                                                           Dimethylethanolamine                                                                          1.5    1.5    1.5  1.5  1.5  1.5                                Tinuvin 292 R  0.5    0.5    0.5  0.5  0.5  0.5                                (Ciba Geigy)                                                                   Tinuvin 328 R  0.5    0.5    0.5  0.5  0.5  0.5                                (Ciba Geigy)                                                                   10% TEDA       1.5    0      0.7  0    0    0                                  (Air Products &                                                                Chemicals)                                                                     30% MTEDA      0      1.7    0    0.8  0.8  0                                  (Air Products &                                                                Chemicals)                                                                     30% TEDA:BH3   0      0      0.8  0.8  0    0                                  30% BTI        0      0      0    0    2.3  7.4                                ______________________________________                                    

Films of the above compositions were spray applied to treated aluminum panels. A dry film thickness of approximately 2 mils and allowed to air dry for at least 2 weeks prior to testing chemical resistance. The tests performed on the coatings are described following the test results.

    ______________________________________                                         TEST RESULTS                                                                   Chemical Spot                                                                  Test Chemical                                                                            1       2       3     4     5     6                                  ______________________________________                                         H3PO4-1%  NE      VSlSw   NE    NE    NE    NE                                 10%       VSlSw   VSlSw   NE    InSw  InSw  NE                                 HNO3-1%   NE      NE      NE    NE    NE    NE                                 10%       Mod-    Mod-    Sev   Mod-  Sev   Sev                                          Sev     Sev     Blst  Sev   Blst  Blst                                         Blst    Blst          Blst                                           Morpholine-1%                                                                            NE      NE      NE    NE    NE    NE                                 10%       NE      NE      InSw  InSw  InSw  NE                                 H2SO4-1%  InSw    NE      NE    InSw  NE    NE                                 10%       InSw    InSw    InSw  InSw  InSw  NE                                 NaOH-1%   NE      NE      NE    NE    NE    NE                                 5%        FR      FR      FR    FR    FR    NE                                 10%       FR      FR      FR    FR    FR    FR                                 NH4OH-10% NE      NE      NE    NE    NE    NE                                 ______________________________________                                          Rating Code                                                                    NE--No Effect                                                                  IN--Insignificant                                                              VSl--Very Slight                                                               Sl--Slight                                                                     Mod--Moderate                                                                  Sev--Severe                                                                    Blst--Blistering                                                               FR--Film Removed                                                               Sw--Swelling                                                             

Description of Chemical Spot Test in Example 6

The cured film on the aluminum panel is exposed to drops of various chemicals such as 5% NAOH and 10% H2SO4 under individual watch glasses. After overnight exposure (18 hours) the spot is washed away and the exposed coating is checked for softening, swelling, discoloration, wrinkling, or complete removal. The condition of the spots that had undergone testing is then verbally described above. 

We claim:
 1. A composition comprising:a) a compound having anhydride functionality; b) a compound having epoxy functionality; and c) a catalyst which catalyzes a crosslinking reaction between compound a) and compound b), said catalyst being a 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thione compound with the structure: ##STR4## where R and R₁ are alkylene C₁ to C₁₄ (straight chain or branched) and Y and Y₁ are H, OH, CO₂ H, aryl, ether, amine, perfluoroalkyl, amide, nitrile, or olefin.
 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein Y and Y₁ are hydrogen.
 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein said 1,3-dialkylimidazole-2-thione is selected from the group consisting of1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazole-2-thione, 1-n-octyl-3-methylimidazole-2-thione, 1-n-propyl-3-methylimidazole-2-thione or N,N'-diethylimidazole-2-thione.
 4. The composition of claim 1 wherein compound b) is epoxy functional and the coating composition also contains an acid functional compound.
 5. The composition of claim 1 wherein compound a) is any polymer or copolymer with a weight average molecular weight of less than 100,000 containing at least two reactive anhydride groups.
 6. The composition of claim 5 wherein compound a) is a copolymer prepared from one or more of the monomers of styrene, methacrylate, or acrylates with one or more of the monomers of itaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, maleic anhydride, maleic acid or isobutenyl succinic anhydride.
 7. The composition of claim 1 wherein compound b) is an epoxy compound which is any polymer, copolymer or compound with a weight average molecular weight of less than 100,000 containing at least two epoxy groups.
 8. The composition of claim 7 wherein compound b) is an epoxy copolymer prepared from alkyl acrylates or alkyl methacrylates with glycidyl acrylates or glycidyl methacrylates.
 9. The composition of claim 8 wherein the epoxy copolymer is used in combination with polyglycidylethers of sorbitol.
 10. The composition of claim 1 wherein the 1,3 dialkylimidazole-2-thione catalyst is used in conjunction with amine catalysts. 